Method and apparatus for the generation and utilization of ozone and singlet oxygen

Abstract

A method and apparatus to kill pathogens with ozone and singlet oxygen. Includes steps of providing a reaction chamber, establishing an elevated electrical force field in the reaction chamber and moving a gas containing normal oxygen (O 2 ) through the chamber to permit ionization and consequent reaction within the gas which converts the oxygen (O 2 ) into constituents of ozone (O 3 ) and singlet oxygen (O 1 ). Next moves gas containing constituents into contact with pathogens to kill pathogens. Invention is applied to sterilize medical instruments and containers, and when applied to human skin surfaces, for treatment of pathogenic infestations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for killing pathogens contained within an electrically conductive liquid, with ozone (O 3 ) and singlet oxygen (O 1 ) comprising the steps of: (a) providing an annular chamber defined by (1) a cylindrical body of said electrically conductive liquid forming a first electrical conductor surface, (2) a cylindrical insulated tube confining said liquid, (3) said insulated tube forming a dielectric medium, and (4) a cylindrical metal housing enclosing said tube and forming a second electrical conductor surface;   (b) establishing an elevated electrical force field in said annular chamber between said first conductor surface and said second conductor surface;   (c) moving a gas containing normally occurring oxygen (O 2 ) into, through, and out of, said chamber at a moving rate suitably slow to permit ionization within said gas as caused while said gas is within said force field and thereby to transform said normally occurring oxygen (O 2 ) into the constituents of ozone (O 3 ) and singlet oxygen (O 1 ); and,   (d) mixing said gas while containing said constituents immediately with said liquid containing pathogens in a venturi for the purpose of allowing said constituents to react with and to kill said pathogens, wherein said electrically conductive liquid is pumped through said tube and said venturi, and said gas is moved out of said chamber and mixed with said liquid by a vacuum created in said venturi by the pumping of said liquid.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive liquid includes organic impurities and said constituents react with said impurities and remove said impurities from said electrically conductive liquid. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid comprises swimming pool water. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid comprises water from waste water systems. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid comprises potable drinking water. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid comprises oil well treatment fluids. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid comprises hydrocarbon fluids. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid comprises cooling water such as utilized in heat exchanger cooling towers. 
     
     
       9. In apparatus for killing pathogens contained within an electrically conductive liquid, utilizing ozone (O 3 ) and singlet oxygen (O 1 ), the combination comprising: (a) a flow tube including a first section and a second section for containing a flow of said liquid, each section of said sections comprising substantially cylindrical chambers of dielectric material, said sections being connected such that said conductive liquid flows through both said sections, wherein said conductive liquid comprises a first electrode within said first section;   (b) a second electrode mounted concentrically about said first section and defining an annular chamber between said first section of said flow tube and said second electrode;   (c) a means for establishing an elevated electrical force field in said annular chamber between said first electrode and said second electrode;   (d) means for moving a gas containing normally occurring oxygen (O 2 ) through said annular chamber at a suitable flow rate to permit ionization within said gas while said gas is within said annular space and thereby transforming said normally occurring oxygen (O 2 ) into the constituents of ozone (O 3 ) and singlet oxygen (O 1 ); and   (e) means for mixing said gas including said ozone (O 3 ) and said singlet oxygen (O 1 ) with said conductive liquid in a venturi located in said second section and thereby to contact said gas with said pathogens contained within said liquid to react with and kill said pathogens, wherein said means for moving and said means for mixing are constructed to pump said liquid through said flow tube and said venturi to create a vacuum in said venturi and move said gas out of said annular chamber and into said venturi.